Eight Long Days

It has been eight days now since the Penguins defeated the Senators, eight days since the horn sounded and the Pens left the ice for the last meaningful time. Sure, the practices the Pens have held were undoubtedly useful, but to quote Allen Iverson:

“I mean, listen, we’re talking about practice, not a game, not a game, not a game, we talking about practice. Not a game.” Iverson continued, “But we’re talking about practice man. What are we talking about? Practice? We’re talking about practice, man. We’re talking about practice. We’re talking about practice. We ain’t talking about the game. We’re talking about practice, man.”

This is what the Pens have been reduced to… what I have been reduced to.

Practice.

I’m writing about how everything has already been written. The NHL has left so much time between games, all the big stories have been beaten to death. I feel like I’ve arrived late and all the cake from a birthday party is gone, or at least, the pieces that have dropped on the floor are still available.

We’ve heard endlessly about how Jarome Iginla chose the Penguins over the Bruins. We’ll learn soon, starting tonight, whether it was the right decision. I’m sure there is a chip on Boston’s shoulders about the whole thing.

We’ve noticed how Jagr is playing against his former team once again. He’s played for the Capitals, Rangers, Flyers, Stars and now Bruins. It’s getting to the point where this is no longer a novelty. It has happened often over the years, yet once again it has become a focal point.

We’ve even heard about how the teams that are remaining in the playoffs are the last four Stanley Cup winners. What a neat kah-winky dink! Really, other than it being an example of how good these teams have been in recent years, it holds little value in discourse.

In the end, there really is nothing left to say except, “Drop the puck already!” And that time has finally come. Tonight, for the Penguins and their fans, the puck will drop on a meaningful game for the first time in eight days.

Eight.

Long.

Days.

Finally, that wait is over. Like you, I’m looking forward to getting back to watching games. It’ll give me something to write about other than the NHL giving me nothing to write about.